LIFE GOES ON, Pt. 5 AUTHOR: Bobbie S. Email: luvleopard2@yahoo.com RATED: R. Adult Language and Situations AUTHOR’S NOTE: Life Goes On is about relationships, old and new, and tying up loose ends. This story begins the evening that “Antarctica” ended. Too many loose ends were left undone; the old relationships involving Nick, Lulu, and Burton. How did the arrival of Baby Anne affect each of their lives? Whatever happened to Jake and Kate? In the effort to tie up some of those dangling loose ends, I borrowed some familiar characters and situations from episodes from all three seasons of TG. All other characters are fiction, as well as a geographic location or two. --+-- A fire truck came immediately after the police arrived, since Mona told the 911 operator that someone had tried to set the house on fire. They checked all around the house and treated the gasoline that had been doused around the foundation. Before they left, they reassured Nick that the house was in no danger of going up in flames. When all the excitement settled Nick and Mona told Helen and Martha the story Burton had told them about the events of the wedding he’s attended. Nick insisted that everyone go back to bed. They all had to get up early if they since Mona had planned to take them to church, later that day. Mona decided she’d had enough sleep, so she made two mugs of hot tea and brought them into the living room where Nick sat quietly in the dark.. “Need some company? I don’t feel like sleeping. I thought I would work on the finishing touches of the nursery.” “I always welcome your company.” Nick smiled at her and pulled her closer to him and kissed her. “Mona, what just happened. Look, I said I would not mention it again, but…” “What? What is it Nick.?” “You remember that fight we had a few weeks ago and I forgot what it was all about.?” “Yeah. I can’t remember either. I just remember the making up part.” “Yeah, I remember that too.” Nick grinned and kissed Mona on the cheek. Then his voice turned serious. “But, I now remember what that fight was all about. It was about you not believing in me enough to trust my judgment. It was about the additional insurance that I suggested you take out on your, equipment, and your home. We argued because you thought the premiums were too expensive and you accused me of not understanding because I was used to having money.” “Is that why we had our first fight?” “You know it is. Look, I can not make you do anything you don’t want to do. I can only make suggestions and try to make you understand my reasons. I only hope that you can trust me enough to know that whatever I ask you to do is only for your own good and to make your business better.” “I know that Nick, and I love you for it.” “So why do you fight me? First we argued at the bank because you did not think the safe deposit box was necessary. Then you thought it was too big and expensive.” “I still do, but I did it anyway.” There was a tone of defiance in Mona’s voice. “But, you did have to admit that the new laptop, filing cabinets and my system of organization made sense.” “What’s your point, Fallin?” It was becoming very evident to Nick that Mona was getting pissed. “My point is that I know that you did not sign those insurance policies and turn them over for Warren to process.” “How do you know that?” “Because he told me. He worked extra hard to come up with the deal that he offered you, mainly because he is a friend of my dad’s. The same thing that happened here tonight could happen at your place. It may not be some half-crazed woman, like Mrs. Straka who wants to destroy you and your property because she thinks you lied about her son. One of your clients could get hurt on your property and sue your business. Or maybe one of your neighbor’s houses may catch fire and spread to yours. Everything you worked for could go up in smoke in a matter of minutes. And regardless, you still need flood insurance for your home and business. It is not covered in your regular policies. You barely have enough coverage to protect your photography equipment, let alone all your other assets.” Nick still was not convinced that he was getting through to Mona. He thought he would try one more time. Mona, think about the things that you can’t replace. How much of a price tag could you put on Butch or all the photographs and paintings that have taken you a lifetime to create? What about your first camera and easel that your dad bought you when you were eight years old? Those things are priceless, but if for some reason you lost them, at least you would be handsomely compensated. Do you understand what I mean?” “Can I ask you something?” she asked softly. “Of course.” “What if that old lady had succeeded in setting your house on fire and you had five minutes to save something, what would you save?” “My house guests.” “I mean, like if we weren’t here and you knew you only had five minutes to save yourself and whatever, what would you save?” “I suppose, my photos and albums, a watch my Dad gave me and my mother’s engagement ring.” “That’s very sweet and sentimental. Why would you save those things, in particular? You didn’t say anything about your wallet, your important papers, or your car keys.” “Well, as for the wallet, the contents can be replaced and it only contains about $18.00 cash. My photos mean a lot. My dad gave me three albums about a year ago. One is of his and my moms wedding, one is my baby album, and another is of old friends from my childhood and some people I knew in New York.” “That watch? Did your dad give it to you when you graduated law school.?” “No, I don’t recall him giving me anything when I graduated.” “Nothing at all? I can’t believe that, especially with you being an only child.” “My aunt gave me my leather brief case; the one I still carry. Oh yes, Dad gave me an engraved name-plate when I passed the bar, which was not very long after I graduated, so I suppose that would count. He probably figured he had invested enough money in my education from the time I was in nursery school. So you were right when you said he paid for my underpants, he did support me the whole time until I graduated law school..” “I didn’t say that.” “You said it Mona Lisa. But, to answer your question, he gave me the watch the day after I turned 33 years old. It wasn’t really a birthday present, although he did try to give me a surprise birthday party the previous night. I’ll tell you about it sometime. My mom bought the watch for him and had it engraved when he started his law firm. It meant a lot to him even though they had divorced.” “Why did they divorce?” “I don’t know. I know he worked all the time and was hardly home to give us any quality time. Mom complained about that a lot, and then they started arguing quite a bit. Dad always said that they still loved each other even after the divorce. He moved back in when she got really sick, before she died. It was nice having him back home. So, I don’t know, I guess some people just can’t live with each other.” “What do you intend to do with your mothers engagement ring.” “I don’t know, I just keep it in a safe place. I hadn’t thought about it.” Nick lied. Ever since he acknowledged to himself that he might be falling in love with Mona, he had thought about showing her his mother’s ring. But, he was afraid he may send her the wrong message. He did not want to offend her like he did when he offered it to Lulu.” “And where is your safe place Fallin?” “If you are a good girl I will show it to you when our guests leaves. Until then it is my secret hiding place.” “Okay. So you didn’t say anything about saving any important papers, why.” “Other than the things I just mentioned, everything of any importance is in my safe deposit box.” Mona was quiet. Nick knew that she now understood his persistence. “I’ll call Warren the first thing on Tuesday and tell him that I have the checks for those policies.” “Mona, have you forgotten that I am your business partner? If you ever need anything, business or personal, all you have to do is tell me.” “Thanks Nick. I love you.” “Not as much as I love you. And despite what you may think, I do know what it is like not to have any money and be hungry. Once I had to eat Ramen noodles for nearly two weeks until my Dad deposited my monthly allowance.” “What happened?” “I was in my sophomore year of college and I shared an apartment with my friend Bud and a couple other guys. After we paid our rent and expenses, we did what we wanted to with the rest of our money, which usually meant wasting it. We decided to throw a huge party and it wiped out all of our cash flow. When we got broke everyone was looking to me to bail us all out because they knew my old man had a fat wallet. But they did not understand my old man and what I had to go though if I asked him for more money. To make a long story short, I bought and ate those ten cent a package noodles and every man was for himself. That was worth not having to listen to one of Dad’s lectures about responsibility. Bud was the only one of us who had any real sense. He started sweet-talking a girl who worked in the campus cafeteria. She fed him very well. He even ended up marrying her.” “Poor baby. Two weeks on peasant food.” “I ran out before the week and a half was over. I borrowed some money from a class mate, not a lot, but enough to wash my dirty laundry, buy some gasoline, peanut butter, jelly, and bread.” “Well I feel better knowing that you suffered once, even if it was just a little bit. So do you still love me even though you knew that I refused to do what you asked.” “I guess I have to. You saved me from Old Lady Straka lighting a match to my ass. She would have done it if you hadn’t called the police when you did.” ******** When Mona finally went upstairs to bed, Nick retrieved his brief case from the hall closet and took it to the kitchen table. A wave of depression swept over him and he could barely breath. Athough Jake Straka’s mother was in police custody and his house was safe, the fact that someone tried to kill him, upset him very much. He felt the same way a few years ago in that strip joint when Mandy Gressler’s bullet barely missed his head. He wanted so much to impress Mona’s family. It was really important to him that they like him and now they knew some crazed lunatic wanted to see him dead. What must Helen be thinking? “My God!” he thought, if I hadn’t come home when I did the entire house would have gone up in flames with Mona and her family asleep.” The thought of losing Mona was unbearable. Nick buried his head in his hands, as he felt helpless and on the verge of tears. “Had a rough night didn’t you honey?” Nick looked up to see Helen standing in the doorway. He shook his head, yes, ashamed to make eye contact. “I thought I’d get an early start on breakfast; maybe make us a batch of homemade biscuits and whip up my fudge cake for your daddy’s barbeque, later. I had Mona pick up the things I needed ‘cause I didn’t think a handsome young bachelor, like yourself, would keep baking powder and buttermilk in your pantry and fridge.” Nick tried to smile, but it was too painful. “You really should try to get some sleep, honey.” “I am fine.” “No you aren’t. You are very upset and rightfully so.” “I am sorry, Helen, about what happened tonight.” “Why are you apologizing, you didn’t do anything wrong.” “I, uh, I just feel responsible for your safety; you are my guests.” Helen burst out in laughter. “What?” Nick asked somewhat puzzled. “Guests, hell! As long as you are Mona’s boyfriend, we are your family. You can’t get rid of us if you tried. We are like a herd of cockroaches. You can burn your house down with us in it, but we’ll be back. So you may as well get used to us, son.” Nick laughed. “Now that’s better, you’re smiling and showing those handsome dimples.” Helen smiled back at him. “You sound a lot like Mona.” Nick replied. “Of course I do; she’s my baby.” “What have Mona told you about me?” Nick asked with a serious tone in his voice. “Oh, a lot of things. Such as what, in particular?” “My past.” “Oh, that. Well she and I are very close for a mother and daughter. I am sorry I can’t say the same thing about Dawn, my other daughter. She’s only 23 so that’s another generation and another story. But Mona has told me all that she knows, or at least all I need to know about you.” “Such as?” Nick asked needing to know the truth, but not really wanting to hear it. “Well, I know that you have been arrested twice. The first time for drug procession and that you served 3 years probation and got a hefty fine, and a huge amount of community service. I know that the second time you got arrested, you didn’t deserve it.” “Does that upset you?” “I’m not finished yet. I hear you’ve been to rehab a couple of times and you’ve been on a 12-step program, and that you don’t hold your liquor very well. Let’s see, you are currently a recovering junkie, not because you are still using, but because that is the title you have to live with for the rest of your life. And if all of that isn’t enough, Nicholas Fallin, you got fired from your job the same week that your out of wed-lock daughter was born, which happens to be the same week you met my daughter. My, my, but, you have been busy, haven’t you?” “Gee, Helen, you certainly tell it like it is.” “So, Mr. Nicholas Fallin, is there anything else that I or my daughter should know about you that I haven’t covered, thus far?” “No Mam.” “So is everything I just said about you true or are you going to deny any of it?” “Yes, it is all true. Nick hung his head in embarrassment and shame. I started using at age 18. I know that don’t make my situation sound any better or any worse, but that is the only thing about me that you don’t know.” “Are you sleeping with my daughter?” Nick jumped slightly, as that statement caught him off guard and he did not know how to answer it. “You don’t need to answer that, because it’s none of my business. I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. I wish you could have seen your face.” Helen chuckled. “Let’s see, where were we. Oh, you started using at age 18. Sounds about right. That is the age that most boys start running astray, thinking they’re men and know everything. I raised five boys and Mark, my grandson, so I know what I’m talking. So is that everything?” “All that I can think of at the moment.” “Good, because I didn’t want to leave anything out. I know I am blunt, Nick, but you needed to hear that so you will stop beating yourself up about your past and move forward.” “You mean it doesn’t bother you that a person like myself would want to date your daughter?” Nick asked, half ashamed. “Of course it would. A person with your reputation is every parents nightmare, but I am still not finished having my say. Mona also told me that your mother died when you were twelve years old; just a little boy, bless your heart. And you finished growing up with strangers in boarding schools, away from your daddy. I also heard that you tried to adopt a little twelve year old girl, so she could qualify to have a heart transplant. And I understand that you still volunteer as the guardian of the children and teenagers of the court system who you were responsible for when you were forced to do your community service work. That was your choice as pro-bono work.” “Well most of them are teenagers and will be on their own in a few years, so it is not like I will be working with them for the rest of their lives.” “Is that why you work for them or is it because you genuinely care about them?” “Well, I guess someone has to do the work.” Nick replied shyly. “Well, I owe it to you to be honest. I was very much concerned that Mona would be involved with a man with your reputation and track record. Even though she liked you a lot, I was not in the least bit impressed. Not even with the good stuff, like your nice house, fancy car, money, good looks. Now that would impress Sondra and Dawn.” “Here it comes.” Nick said with a distressed look on his face. “Here what comes?” “The part where you tell me that you do not want me to see Mona anymore. That I am not good enough for her. And the truth is, I really am not, but I love her and I would never do anything to hurt her.” “My Mona is a smart gal, good judgment, a soft heart of gold. She is very loving and caring. She really deserves someone who has her best interest at heart. She has been through a lot and I don’t think her heart could stand any more abuse. So if you think I don’t want you two together, you are wrong. I think you two are perfect for each other, despite all the mischief you’ve been involved in.” “What made you change your mind?” “Anne.” “Anne? She is just four month’s old.” “Watching you with Anne was proof enough for me. You love babies as much as Mona loves them, or at least you love your baby. I watched you from the moment I met you. I watched the way you handled her from the moment your daddy gave her to you yesterday morning till you handed her back over to him to take her home. I noticed things that you are not even aware of. Are you aware that you kiss your daughter about every 10 seconds? “No.” “Well you do, it just comes natural. Also, you are constantly talking to her.” Nick grinned, “Okay, I am aware of that. I know it sounds silly, but sometimes I almost expect her to answer me back.” “Well, she does. Every time she makes those little cooing noises and grins, showing you those cute little pink gums, she is saying, I hear you daddy, I love you, too” When Nick smiled, Helen knew that Nick felt better and his depression was lifted. “Now, Nick, do you know what the real thing was that made me know that you were not really a bad person. Nick shook his head no. “There are two things that really got my attention. I saw you when you were singing to her that song, what is it? ”The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” and that little patty cake game you played with her while you sang. Oh don’t look so embarrassed, it’s sweet and she loved it.” “Well, it makes her laugh. What is the second thing you noticed?” “Annes little shitty diaper. You deserve a father of the year award.” “What?” “You didn’t mind changing Anne’s stinky little diaper. You didn’t holler for Mona to change it or pay little Debbie. You did it yourself and didn’t complain one bit, or make a production out of it. Whatever Anne needed, you gave it to her. I watched you change her, feed her, play with her, sing to her, and whistle her to sleep, now that’s a new one. Then you woke her up so you could play with her some more. All my boys have kids except for Tommy and every one of them thinks they are too good to change a diaper. Their babies would starve to death if they had to lift a bottle to their lips. I have yet to see any man love a baby, so much that he would care for it the way you have and not complain.” “So, if Anne had not been with me you would have thought differently of me?” “No, Mona loves you and that is good enough for me. Not only that, you welcomed me and my family into your lovely home and offered us more hospitality than we deserve seeing that we were uninvited and should have kept our asses back at home. So thank you for that.” “You are welcome. I do love Mona, you know.” “I know, sweetheart, I know.” Helen walked over and kissed Nick on the forehead. Okay, so lets get one thing straight. Since we are unofficial family, I am the head of the clan, so that means you have to do what I tell you. Now if you are not going to go to bed and get some rest, you may as well make yourself useful. I need you to peel me some potatoes, and wash your hands first, while, I get me a cake in the oven and stir us up some biscuits.” “Yes mam.” Nick happily obeyed. He knew Helen was treating him just like she would treat one of her sons. ~~~~~ Helen and Nick worked side by side as a team. Nick fried potatoes and sausage links, while Helen baked a Texas Sheet Cake, and several batches of biscuits. “What are the guys over at Mona’s having for breakfast while we dine like royalty?” Nick asked Helen to break their silence. “Whatever those heathens decide to cook for themselves. Everyone of them knows how to cook, especially David. If he didn’t cook, those poor little kids of his would have to live off of cold cereal and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Don’t get me started on that lazy mama of theirs. I still don’t understand why David married Sondra or doesn’t leave her, but I won’t get into that. Here, now you tell me where you have ever tasted a better biscuit than this. Helen had just taken a hot, fresh pan of golden flaky biscuits from the oven, slathered butter on one and handed it to Nick. She eagerly awaited his response.” “Nowhere. I have never tasted anything like this before. It is great.” Nick was telling her the truth.” Helen beamed with pride. “I have a secret ingredient, but Mona knows it. Be a good boy and she’ll bake you a batch.” “I thought I smelled biscuits, Martha came in and plopped down at the table. Helen buttered her a biscuit and poured her a cup of coffee. “Why are you cooking, Nick when you have a houseful of women here who should be doing it for you. And whatever Helen said about me, don’t you believe it.” “Why do you always think somebody is talking about you? Nick and I were just having a little friendly chat, about him mostly. I was just getting to know him a little better.” “Why don’t you stay out of the man’s business, Helen. Hey Nick, she asked you about your jail record, didn’t she? Nick sort of shrugged his shoulder. “I take that as a yes, so why don’t you ask Helen about hers.” “Helen, has been arrested?” Nick couldn’t believe it. “For what, if I may ask?” “I am surprised that Mona didn’t tell you, after all it is nothing that I am ashamed of, and besides, my husband bailed me out and the charges were dropped.” “Tell Nick what you did, Helen, you can’t stay out of his and Mona’s business, now tell him.” “Okay, I was arrested for assault.” “Assault! You are kidding me. Nick couldn’t believe what he’d heard. Helen was as short as Mona. Although she was stout built, he still couldn’t see her in someone’s face assaulting them. “What happened?” “Well, I know Mona has told you about her rape and shot-gun marriage back when she was a teenager. Well I was against her getting married from the git-go. She didn’t want to and the creep her step-dad forced her to marry was not the boy who raped her. All Mona wanted to do was forget the incident and have her baby in peace and get on with her life. Well it was Mona’s ex-mother-in-law who I assaulted.” “Why? What did you do?’ Nick asked still puzzled. I went to her house and whipped her ass, so she had me arrested for assault. Now I am not a violent person, Martha will tell you that. I may have had to get tough with those five boys of mine every once in a while, but that don’t make me a bad person. I am sure your daddy may have yanked a knot or two in you if you gave him too much lip. But, I couldn’t help it. When I found out how that bitch allowed my baby girl to be abused and mistreated under her roof, I went to her house and confronted her. I told her how disappointed I was in her since she was a woman who proclaimed to be religious, and she had daughters herself. Well, when she acted like Mona was a slut and got what she deserved, something in me snapped. I lit into that woman and I tried to snatch her bald headed with my bear hands. I wanted her to feel what my baby felt and I let her know that. She cried and pleaded with me to let go of her but I wasn’t satisfied until I had blacked both of her eyes and broke her nose. My husband was livid because he had to bail me out of jail and pay that old bitch’s doctor bill. But I didn’t care; it was his fault for forcing Mona to marry that jerk against her will.” “Nick, I was so proud of Helen, I didn’t know what to do. I would have gone over there and finished her off when Helen got through with her. Mona was as sweet then as she is now. She didn’t deserve any of what she had to put up with. She was afraid to tell any of us what was going on, because her ex threatened harm against her family if she ever told. Tell him the rest, Helen, about when Mona served divorce papers.” Nick just stood looking amazed. “Martha, Nick does not need to know that. That will defeat any chance of him ever wanting to have anything to do with Mona’s family.” “If he hasn’t already come to realize that you and all of your family is crazy by now, you don’t have anything to worry about. Mona is the only one of you who has any sense.” Nick added, “There is nothing you can tell me that will change how I feel about Mona. Her family is my family. Helen, I applaud your bravery. Now what is it that I don’t need to know.” Helen put the last batch of biscuits in the oven and began. “Okay, about a month after we snuck Mona out of Bliss and brought her to Pittsburgh, she served divorce papers on her husband. She didn’t accuse him of anything, nor did she want anything from him other than a divorce. She had already lost her baby and was trying to regain her health at Mary’s house, here in Pittsburgh. Mary, Martha’s aunt, nursed and took care of Mona the same as if she was her granddaughter.” “She is going to baby sit for Anne starting this Tuesday.” “Wonderful, Anne couldn’t have a better person caring for her. Well, when the papers were served, word got out that Mona’s now ex was bragging that he was going to go to Pittsburgh, find her and drag her back home. No woman of his was going to leave him. He didn’t want Mona, he just wanted her paycheck. Well David was in the army at that time and her other two brothers were too young to protect her from anything and I was on the verge of divorcing Carl, her no good step-daddy. So some of our friends and relatives were concerned that the jerk really was going to Pittsburgh to do my baby some bodily harm”. Helen said nothing more, She proceeded to put her cake in the oven, poured herself some coffee and sat down at the table. “And?” Nick asked. “Finish telling him Helen.” “Since you are a lawyer, if I told you as secret, could it be used against me at some later date?” “No. It is called attorney-client privilege. I could lose my license if I revealed something you told me in confidence.” “Okay, so I will tell you this in confidence. So, as I was saying, My husband was no good at dealing with problem issues. I knew he would just sit by and allow Mona to be abused again. Well, some of Mona’s uncles, cousins, and some friends who knew her daddy, my first husband had a little meeting and the night her ex declared that he was going to Pittsburgh, well he never made it out of Bliss that night.” Nick looked horrified. “What happened? Did he have an accident?” “Well, nobody ever knew for sure cause he never told what happened, but the next morning, he was found tied to a tree in the woods. His mouth was gagged with duct tape and he was buck naked. They say that from the marks on his body, it appeared that somebody took some switches and whipped the hell right out of him.” They never found his clothes or who was responsible for his ass-whuppin.” “So no one was ever arrested?” “Nope. And he gave Mona her divorce without a bit of trouble. He is on his third wife now. He have seven kids between his second and third wife and I hear there is a divorce pending. He still haven’t learned how to treat a lady or find a decent job.” “Helen, did your husband know that you were responsible for that flogging?” “Yeah, he told me that he knew, just before he died. He was in a car accident and he never recovered. He got the chance to make his peace with Mona, also. He apologized to her for forcing her to get married that he only thought he was doing what was best. And you know what? My baby forgave him.” “It sounds like something she would do.” Nick smiled. ~~~~~ A few hours later, all was back to normal. Mona took her mother, Martha, and Sondra’s three older children to church. Sondra, stayed home with her baby and drank cup after cup of coffee and read the Sunday paper. Just as she was getting ready to make her move on Nick who was going over paperwork, he’d brought home, Burton arrived. It was her intention to ask him a lot of personal questions about his and Mona’s relationship; everything that Helen had warned her not to do. Burton came over to set up the grills for their pre-Labor Day, Sunday barbeque, bringing bags of steaks, burgers and hot dogs. After Nick filled his father in on the previous night’s activities, Burton convinced Nick to go lie down and get some rest. He would take care of everything. While Sondra lounged on a chaise in the back yard, Burton puttered in Nick’s kitchen, preparing food, and keeping a watchful eye on her 9-month old son, who slept in his playpen in the corner of the kitchen. It did not take Nick long to fall asleep, as he had not had much of an opportunity to get any rest for the last two nights. He was not alone. Lulu had spent a restless, sleepless night, tossing and turning. When she did drift off to sleep, she was awakened by Anne’s screaming around 7:30, as she was hungry and soaking wet. All night long she had wished she had taken Burton up on his offer to keep the baby overnight. The only reason she did not was because that was her excuse not to be bothered with Donald. After a night of tossing and turning and getting up with Anne, she had a splitting headache. Her pills did not seem to be doing its magic. She could no longer ignore Anne’s screaming; she had to get up and see to her. Poor little thing, she was soaked through to her sleeper. Lulu changed her she took her downstairs and tried to pacify her until she warmed up her bottle. Anne never shut up until the bottle was in her little mouth. As Lulu fed and rocked her daughter, she hummed to her softly. She missed nursing her. Those were their special moments together. But she knew she could not continue breast-feeding her baby and take her headache pills. She feared the pills may worsen Anne’s condition. So far Anne had only been diagnosed with a mild case of Downs Syndrome, and had a very good chance of developing normally with treatment. She was such a beautiful baby. She had a lot of her daddy’s features and Nick loved her so much. It was such a shame that they couldn’t live together. Their baby needed both of her parents and she really missed Nick. He was so thoughtful of her and Anne. “He gave us everything,” Lulu thought. “Unlike Donald, who can’t stand the baby, but he keeps coming back, just to help himself to the luxury of the home Nick bought me and everything in my refrigerator. Damn that Jake for ever introducing him to me. Damn Jake for introducing me to his codeine prescription. Damn me for not listening to Nick when he tried to warn me about Jake.” With that last thought, Lulu finally drifted off to sleep on the sofa, with Anne lying contently on her chest. LATE SUMMER – EARLY FALL 2004 Nick and Mona grew closer in their relationship. They still had their little squabbles, but they always made up and seemed to grow closer from the experience. Nick and Burton had grown closer as well. He had Mona to thank for that. Burton had noticed that when his son was happy and content, he was a very pleasant person to be around. They could actually sit down and hold a conversation without Nick getting upset about something and storming out the room. Mona was the best thing that had ever happened to Nick and Burton was so afraid that Nick was going to do something to screw it all up, and make Mona leave him. He wished that Nick would just go on and marry the girl before he woke up from his coma and turned back into his old self. Burton could not have loved Mona more if she was his own daughter. Many times on their Sunday visits, Mona sat in the living room and watched football with him while Nick took a nap with Anne. Nicholas had never taken much interest in sports since he was a little boy in little leagues. “It was probably my fault”, Burton would blame himself. “I really didn’t give him much support in his activities and I didn’t take him out to games like I should have. I should have taken him along with me to the Steelers & Pirate games when I took my clients. I used to brag a lot about him to my clients, but if he never heard it, I guess it didn’t count.” Mona had no pride whatsoever when her team was winning. She shouted, screamed, and jumped up and down like a little kid. Once she snagged her hose during one of those fits. She simply said, “Turn your head Burton. She whipped them off, put them in her purse and continued to act a fool. Every now and then an obscenity may slip out of her mouth. She immediately apologized, and continued to act a fool. Burton was shocked the first time they sat down together to watch a baseball game and he asked her if she would be offended if he had a beer. Her reply was, “Only if you don’t offer me one. She read Burton’s face and said. “I know what you are thinking. She just came from church, and she teaches Sunday School, right?” “Well, yeah, something like that.” “Well, I’ll tell you a little secret.” She looked all around as if someone else was in the room and then whispered. “I like beer. I can’t handle any more than a couple, and I like wine-coolers, too. I know I am a hypocrite but who is going to tell those other hypocrites I go to church with. You won’t tell, will you? “No.” Burton chucked. “And I also sleep with your son.” “I won’t tell them that either, I guess that explains why he’s so pleasant to get along with.” Then, Mona became serious. “I love him Burton. I just wanted you to know that.” “I know you do honey. And that is what he has always needed; a good woman to love him. Someone who will accept him as he is, not try to mold him into something else, but just let him be who and whatever he is. I don’t know if he has told you or not, but he is in love with you, also. If he hasn’t, he will, just give him time. He will.” “He has. I would never have allowed him to share my bed, if he hadn’t and suspected he wasn’t telling me the truth.” “What about marriage? Do you think you could stand to live with him in a marital relationship?” “Of course I can. And I will, but it has got to be his decision and on his terms. You see, even though I do things I shouldn’t be doing like sipping alcohol, fornicating, and telling the father of my lover all of his business, I still have an advantage over Nick. I still believe that if I ask for forgiveness for my sins, that God will forgive me. If I tell him the desires of my heart, that he will grant them. I desire for Nick to be my husband. He is the one, I know it. But it has got to be his decision and you and I did not have this conversation.” “What conversation?” Mona and Burton smiled at each other and he patted her hand. “It will happen honey, just give it time.” ~~~~ They both worked very hard; Nick at his new job at Preston-Harris & Burns and his pro-bono work at LSP, and Mona at her advertising agency and her freelance photography on weekends. They made a vow to each other that they would always have at least one date per week plus Sunday dinners with Burton and Anne. Sometimes those dates only meant time spent in one or the other’s bed, and carryout meals, but they were happy to spend time together. Like a rainy Saturday evening in early October. They were scheduled to go out for the evening, but Mona had done photo shoots all day long in her studio and Nick had worked at his firm until 6:pm. They were both exhausted. Neither knew how to tell the other that they were too tired to go out. Mona called Nick just before he stepped into the shower. He was relieved when she suggested they just stay in and order a pizza or something and maybe watch a movie on TV. Nick suggested she come to his place. He did not tell her that he was too tired to go back out. Of course they wound up in bed before Mona had been in the house ten minutes. They always had pillow-talk between their rounds of sex. Mona called it pillow-talk, Nick called it cool-down. But never-the-less, they talked, about any and everything. “Fallin, I just thought of something. You remember when we were talking in your living room early that morning on Labor Day weekend and right after the fire department and cops left.” “I doubt if I ever forget it.” “Well you promised to show me your safe place and you never did.” “My what” “Your safe place. The place where you keep your treasures; your prized processions.” “What treasures?” “Your photos, your daddy’s watch he gave you and your mother’s ring. Those were the things you said you would try to save if you only had five minutes to save something.” “Do you not forget anything?” “I have told you and showed you all of my business. I have no secrets that you don’t know about. So I want to know all about yours. Where is your safe place.” “If I told you then it would not be a secret would it.” “Mona grabbed his penis and gave it a jerk.” “Let go Mona, you aren’t playing fair.” “I am not playing at all, if you ever want to have sex with me again, tell me or you won’t ever have sex with anyone.” “She jerked him again.” “Okay, okay, okay, let go.” She did and he reached over on the night stand and retrieved his keys. He took off a small key and handed it to her. “The chest at the foot of the bed.” “Chest? I thought that was a bench.” “Remove the cushion and turn it around.” Mona took the keys, put on his shirt and sat in the floor in front of the chest. When she got the lid opened, her face lit up as she dug threw Nick’s treasures. He moved to the bottom of the bed and lay on his stomach as he watched her. She first opened a box that held a white satin suit, cap, and little satin shoes for a male infant. It also held a lt. blue one-piece sweater-knit suit with matching booties and cap, and a matching sweater-knit blanket. There was also a tiny tee shirt and a blue pacifier. “Nick, is this what I think it is?” “Probably.” “This is your christening outfit and the clothes you wore home from the hospital?” “Everything but the diaper.” “This is so neat. Your mom must have been so sentimental.” “Maybe. That or she was saving it for another baby. Dad and my aunt said that she miscarried before and after I was born. So that is what I wore. If you did deep enough you may even find that diaper.” “It even smells good, she must have put baby powder under the tissue paper.” Mona laid that aside and went to the next treasure. She pulled out the three albums and a box with some loose pictures. “These should be displayed. Some of these should be blown up and in frames. I want to look through these later.” She then pulled out a musical heart shaped jewelry box. “You know what this looks like?” “A heart shaped box?” “No silly, Blanche Dubois in A Street Car Named Desire had a jewelry box like this. Surely you’ve seen the movie?” “Yes, but a jewelry box would not be something I would pay attention to.” “Men, Mona scoffed. This is beautiful. You should also display this box, it is a work of art.” “Okay, Mona, I already have a giant panda bear on my bed and a lady’s hope chest at the foot of my bed. Now, all I need is a heart shaped tapestry jewelry box on my dresser. How am I going to explain that?” “Who would you need to explain it to? Who else comes in this bedroom besides me, Fallin?” “I have a better idea. Why don’t you take it home and put it on your dresser.” “You are giving it to me?” “It is yours if you want it.” She kissed him. “I love you Fallin. Thank you.” She opened the box that held several smaller boxes. “What are these?” “Open them and see.” The first box Mona opened was square. “What the hell is this? She opened up a plastic baggie and pulled out a five inch braid of hair. Also in the box was a single tiny diamond ear stud. “What did you do Fallin, scalp one of your former girlfriends?” “That is what was left of my ponytail.” “You wore a ponytail?” “And an earring. There is a picture of me wearing both in one of those albums.” “I am sure there is a story behind it.” “I wore them in part of my junior and senior years of college. When I graduated and started law school, the hair stylist made two braids of my ponytail and I sent Dad one along with the earring that I wore. The earring in the box was the other one from the set. They belonged to my mom. Dad hated the ponytail and the earring. He said it was my graduation gift to him.” “Did you wear them to rebel against your dad.” “Sort of. But, I guess mainly because, I wanted to do something different. The years I spent in college were the only time I got to do anything I wanted to do or wear anything I wanted to wear. I got so sick of wearing uniforms, from the time I started the first grade, I had to dress a certain way and the same thing in boarding school. I knew when I started working in the corporate world, I would be expected to wear suits and ties. So for those few years I wore a beard, because I didn’t like to shave and I wore jeans and tee shirts as much as I liked. And I slept in the raw. Dad was always buying me polo shirts, sweaters, and pajamas for Christmas. I just gave them away. “So, you were a rebel and a bad boy.” “Somewhat.” Didn’t you ever do anything to defy your mother?” “Lord, no. She would have whipped the shit out of me. But we were close, so I didn’t have anything to rebel about. Ahhh, what have we here?” Mona opened the little box that contained the engagement ring that belonged to Nick’s mother. “It is beautiful, Nick, and you’ve kept it all these years. May I?” She asked permission to try it on. It fit perfectly. “Why don’t you take that home with you also.” “Oh, no, this was your mother’s, you should save this for Anne.” “I want you to have it.” Nick looked deep into Mona’s eyes and repeated. “I want you to have it.” “What are you saying Fallin?” “I am saying I want you to wear this ring, at least until we pick you out one of your choice. I love you Mona and I want to marry you, that is if you will have me. Maybe I am not doing this right.” He got out of bed and bent on his knee and took Mona’s left hand and kissed it and the ring. “I love you Ramona Lisa Johnson, and I would be honored for you to become my wife. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you all the days of my life. Will you marry me?” Mona kissed him. Of course I will marry you. I fell in love with you the day I met you in Hattie’s Baby Boutique. I will be honored to become your wife but there is just one thing.” “What?” “This is the ring I want. I want your mother’s ring.” “But I once offered it to someone else. Wouldn’t you rather have a brand new ring?” “I don’t care who you offered this ring to. The fact that it belonged to your mother means that it is very important to you. That makes it even more special for me. Some day it will be passed down to one of our daughters. Then you can buy me a new ring.” ********* The weeks that followed, were some of the most enjoyable days Nick could remember having as an adult. Time and again, Mona introduced him to things he had no knowledge of. Simple things that most people often took for granted, such as fall festivals and flee markets. On Saturdays when Mona did not have any photo shoots, she would pack a picnic basket and she and Nick would drive for miles to Pumpkin, Walnut, and Apple Festivals, and the Amish Country, bringing back things that Mona wanted to collect for their new home and souvenirs for their families and friends. It had gotten to be such a habit that Burton couldn’t wait for them to come over for Sunday dinner because Mona always brought some goodies she’d picked up on their Saturday adventure. The Sunday that Mona brought Burton a jar of sorghum molasses, Burton asked Mona to a batch of biscuits and they had ham, eggs, fried potatoes, biscuits and the thick savory syrup for their Sunday Dinner. Nick could not understand what the fuss was all about, but Burton told story after story of his childhood, when biscuits, sorghum and potatoes was sometimes all his family ate for weeks. Mona always took a couple cameras to capture the splendid Autumn colors of the Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia hillsides. It all brought back memories to Nick when he was in kindergarten and grade school, and the countless pictures of fall leaves he drew and the nature walks he took collecting leaves. Where had he been all his life? Had Autumn always be so beautiful? Burton knew that Nick was hitched, when he agreed to take Mona to the Halloween costume ball at the country club. In the past, Nick had always refused to go. Burton suspected he was still miffed about not being allowed to dress up and participate in trick or treating as a child. That was his mother's nonsense, not his. Nick was still too conservative to wear something far-fetched, but to please Mona, but he agreed to go as a hippy. She went as his "old lady." Mona concocted his outfit from old jeans, a Henley style shirt and sandals he already owned. She found a vest at the Goodwill store and redesigned it with fringe and beads. He refused to wear a long wig, but compromised with a headband and an earring. /(Burton thought, Lord I hope he don't/ /start wearing that damned earring again/). Mona's costume was similar to Nick's, with the hippy theme, only she wore a peasant blouse and a long gauze skirt. She designed her vest, adding fringe, and embroidery. She made her headband with fringe, flowers, and beads and they both completed their outfits with love beads and dollar store wire rimmed glasses. Mona purposely wore no make-up to achieve a natural, back to nature look. She parted her long flowing hair in the middle and pinned flowers to several long skinny braids that overlapped her beautiful mane. They won an honorable mention prize for in the couple's category. They should have won first place for creativity, since they didn't spend hundreds of dollars renting stupid costumes like everyone else. They did win a dance contest, and no one could deny them of that. Burton really enjoyed watching Mona pour on her charm. She got every ones attention from the moment she walked through the door. Nick was especially proud to introduce her as his fiancé to everyone he met. Even the old fossils and biddies who did not like Nick, warmed up to him because Mona was so charming. She is some smart business lady. She brought her camera and voluntarily took instant photos of anyone who would allow her, giving them her business card along with her photo. The next night was Trick or Treat. Nick and Mona of both wore the same outfits. Mona opened up her studio and invited her guests in for a cup of witches brew and a free Polaroid snapshot of the children in their costumes. Nick gave out the candy to the children and Mona gave her business card and photo to the parents. Nick bought Anne a little angel outfit and begged Lulu to allow him to take her home to show her off to his neighbors, as he passed out candy but Lulu refused, telling him he was just being silly. A 5-1/2 month old baby needed to be home with her mother on Halloween and a Downs Syndrome child did not need to be put on display. That night in bed, Nick dreaded that the beauty and festivities of fall were coming to an end as the weather was increasingly becoming colder. He enjoyed the past months with Mona so much. The simplest things she did were special. She introduced him to a culture and way of life that he envied. He thought about his own culture. Even he did not like his culture, aside from the money. His world was filled with snobs, fake etiquette, and status symbols. That was all his entire life had been about; money and the privileges that it could buy; none of which had ever made him happy. Well, if money was the only culture he to share his culture with Mona, he was going to lavish it on her first class. The next morning he made phone calls and reservations to plan a trip for the two of them for the Thanksgiving weekend. ********* After a shaky on-again, off-again relationship with Donald, Lulu finally decided to get rid of him once and for all. Although he was far out of Lulu’s social league, he did love her and he was beginning to warm up to Anne. He had never been around babies before. Although Lulu allowed him to spend the night when she felt lonely, she would not allow him to move in with her, although he begged and pleaded with her. She suspected that Nick would stop paying the house note if he found out. The week before Thanksgiving, Lulu decided she had punished Nick enough for his affair with Suzanne Pell. She was not sure how much he knew about her relationship with Donald, but she was sure that he still loved her. How could he not? It was only in July that she told him to take a hike and now it was only near the end of November. They communicated well enough when Nick came to LSP for his pro bono work. There were no indications that he was seeing anyone else. He probably did not have time after having to start his career all over again. With his track record he was darned lucky that anyone in Pittsburg would want to hire him. But, Burton was still his father, so or course he would still come out smelling like a rose. Lulu was no longer angry at him for leaving LSP and forcing her to have to go back to work when he knew she wanted to be at home with Anne while she was little. Actually, it was Donald who made her understand that if Nick was going to continue to pay her house note and support her and Anne as generously as he had, he was going to have to get a paying job at some point. She kept forgetting that the position he held at the clinic was really her job. The fact that he had not taken back the house he bought for her meant that he still loved her. Even if Nick was dating someone else, he would leave the woman in favor of her and Anne; she was sure of it. She remembered how Nick dumped Kim on her behalf. With Donald out of the picture she could now make her move with Nick to rekindle their relationship. She really never appreciated him until she nearly lost him. When she found herself constantly comparing Donald to Nick and even worse, faking orgasms, she knew it was time to make a change. She never had to fake anything with Nick and she had never met a better lover or anyone more generous. Donald had never as much as brought over a bottle of wine for dinner or ordered a pizza and paid for it. She was such a fool for listening to Jake the Snake Straka. She should have known that his cousin would turn out to be a creep. Nick had warned her that Jake would use her any way he could to get even with him. Lulu picked up the phone and dialed Nick’s office. She got his recorder so she left a message for him to call her. When he did, she thought it was about the Bradley kid’s adoption case. Unless it had something to do with work or Anne, Nick still had nothing to discuss with Lulu. He had to think long and hard about working at LSP for pro bono, knowing that Lulu would be there. He decided that the kids were important enough for him to lay his personal feelings aside. He had to face Lulu anyway in matters that concerned Anne, so he'd rather it be in a professional setting. “Nick, I thought I would make Thanksgiving dinner this year and have you and Burton over. You know, this is Anne’s first Thanksgiving and our first year in the new house. How does that sound?” “It sounds fine, but I will be out of town. I can’t speak for Dad though.” “Are you going on business?” “No, I am visiting friends.” “Oh. I never knew you to go out of town on holidays.” “That was because I was on probation and I was not allowed to go anywhere. Before that I went out of town every year.” “Well maybe we can get together on Sunday at Burton’s like old times.” “I will be late coming in, so count me out. Look I have a meeting in a few minutes. How is Anne?” “She is fine.” “Good, tell her Daddy loves her. Gotta go.” Click. Lulu really wanted to be back in Nick’s life before Christmas. She was excited that it would be Anne’s first Christmas and she wanted the three of them to spend the holidays together as a family. The idea of marrying Nick no longer made her feel nauseated. She never could figure out why she ever did. He was generous, handsome, rich, and a wonderful lover. What was she thinking? No wonder he always had a string of women chasing him before and after she met him. But she was the one he chose. What on earth was she thinking? She could do a whole lot worse; she almost did. She wasted all that time with Donald when she could have been happy with Nick. Damn that Jake Straka! Well she still had time to re-think her strategy. She knew! She would invite herself to Sunday dinner. Burton always welcomed her. It did not matter if Nick was not there. Burton wanted them to be together for Anne’s sake. Then she would invite Nick to go Christmas shopping with her for Anne. It was her first Christmas and she had to have toys and presents. Then after he helped her in with all the packages he could help her decorate the house. Then she would invite him to stay over. Sex was the one thing that Nick could not resist. It should not take more than one night for them to re-kindle their relationship. She planned a quiet Thanksgiving at home alone with Anne; she needed the rest anyway. Working and caring for an infant was very time consuming and tiring. She cooked a scaled down dinner of one cornish hen, boxed stuffing, jar gravy, canned cranberry sauce, and a huge salad. Out of boredom, she ended up consuming her entire pumpkin pie, a half container of whipped topping, and a whole bottle of wine. She and Anne went to bed at 7:30 pm. Burton spent Thanksgiving at his neighbor’s house for dinner and football, while Nick and Mona had a blast in New York City. They left town on Wednesday evening after work and had dinner at their luxury Manhatten hotel then went to bed early. (for them going to bed early does not necessarily mean going to sleep). On Thanksgiving they claimed spaces on the street and watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. After the parade, Nick’s friend Bud picked them up at their hotel and took them to his home for dinner and football on TV. Bud was impressed at Mona’s knowledge and zeal where football was concerned. Nick helped Bud’s wife Gail with dinner and the babies. Later that evening, Bud arranged for some of his and Nick’s old friends to come over for drinks, cards, and lies. It was late when Nick and Mona arrived back at their hotel. Early Friday morning, Lulu took Anne to Burton’s house. He agreed to baby sit while Lulu took advantage of the after Thanksgiving Day sales. She mainly shopped for Christmas decorations for the house, with the intentions of inviting Nick over to help her decorate. She spent a generous portion of Anne's support money on a sheer, black, nighty, expensive perfume, champagne, scented candles, chocolates, and bubble bath. All she needed to do was find fresh strawberries. She couldn't wait to feed them to Nick in their steaming bubble bath. After all this was the baby's first Christmas. What would Christmas morning be like, if both of Anne's parents were not together to help her celebrate? ****** Nick and Mona also got up early and ordered a luxurious room service breakfast, to save the time of dining out. They had tons of shopping to do. Mona was exciting about shopping at Macy’s and Bloomingdales. Nick could not wait to go to FAO Swartz to shop for toys for Anne (and himself). Mona knew nothing about New York; but she wanted to visit the stores and restaurants that she had heard about. They chose a Greek café for lunch and shopped until they nearly dropped. That evening they planned to go up to Harlem for dinner at Sylvia’s and catch a show at a comedy club. Although Mona had heard about Sylvia’s on TV, she was impressed by all the celebrity photographs that graced the walls. She was even more impressed that employees there remembered Nick by name and gave them excellent service. Earlier, they spotted several celebrities including Barbara Walters, Al Roker, and President Bill Clinton. Mona thought she would pass out when Nick boldly asked the former president for an autograph for his fiancé. She was speechless when she received the autograph, congratulations, and the privilege of allowing Nick to take a picture of her and Bill with her camera. On Saturday they toured the city, by tour bus and ferry. Nick knew Manhattan inside out, but for Mona's sake, he wanted her to experience as much as she could. He knew they could cover more territory on official tours. They visited the empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Ground Zero. Mona understood when Nick did not want to leave the tour bus at Ground Zero. She got off the bus long enough to shoot some pictures and videotape, then she came back and kept him company to get his mind off of the tragic event that took the lives of some people he knew. After returning to their hotel for a couple hours’ rest, they freshened up and went out again to have dinner on Broadway and take in a show. During their pillow talk that night, Nick told Mona, that he was glad he had the opportunity to visit Ground Zero. He now could get some closure to the ordeal that had haunted him for over three years. On Sunday, they had enough time to sleep in a bit, tour a museum, have a leisurely lunch and arrive at the airport an hour early for their 5:00 pm flight back home. Upon arriving back in Pittsburgh, the went straight to Mona’s place where they rested and made love since they each were going to sleep and their own homes that night. They both had hectic workweeks ahead, so they had to prepare for the next day and head to bed early. Mona had promised Hattie that she would work every night at the Baby Boutique to make up for Friday and Saturday while she was in New York. Those were the two most crucial shopping days, being the beginning of the holiday season. But, Hattie knew Mona was a woman of her word and she would lose no commission from Mona’s photo shoots, as the result of her being out of town. After all, Nick promised he would pay Hattie any amount that she lost. That was why she had no problem breaking Mona’s contract for two days. She knew that Nick was also a man of his word. Nick arrived at Burton’s around 8:35 pm, hoping to see Anne before his father took her back to Lulu’s. “You just missed her son, Lulu picked her up and left about ten minutes ago. She was here since a little after seven. I think she was waiting for you to come. She knew you would want to see Anne. Oh, yeah, she told me to tell you to call her when you got in." “Why?” "You will just have to call her and see, now won’t you.” “Like hell, I will. Anne was fine when she left, right?” “Sure" “Then there is no reason for me to call Lulu.” Nick stayed about an hour, minutes discussing his trip, and left Burton with the souvenirs he and Mona bought him, along with the special pastry order Burton requested. He also gave him pictures of Bud’s family that he and his wife sent. He went home and straight to bed, without calling Lulu. TO BE CONTINUED…..